One of the most important races of the primary season is playing out today in New Mexico, as Reps. Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson battle for the GOP nomination to replace retiring Senator Pete Domenici. The race has gotten heated, with Domenici weighing in on Wilson's behalf and the Club for Growth backing Pearce, and a new poll shows the contest is neck and neck.

The poll, conducted by New Mexico-based Research & Polling Inc. for the Albuquerque Journal, surveyed 591 likely Republican primary voters for a margin of error of +/- 4%. Pearce and Wilson were tested.

Primary Election Matchup
(All / NM1 / NM2 / NM3)
Pearce...45 / 27 / 64 / 46
Wilson....39 / 57 / 23 / 37

Wilson's wide lead in her Albuquerque-based First District is offset by Pearce's head start in his southern, and more Republican, Second District. The northern Third District is the most heavily Democratic in the state, but 45% of voters there still cast ballots for President Bush in 2004.

Wilson has always been seen as a strong campaigner and a skilled closer, but, being the more moderate of the two, she faced a steep climb, even as Domenici's chosen successor.

The winner of the Republican primary will begin the general election campaign as an underdog to the Democratic nominee, Rep. Tom Udall. Without a serious primary challenger, Udall has been able to stockpile money, and having been elected statewide twice and built his name recognition, every public poll so far has shown him running far ahead of his GOP rivals. For more background on the race, see our preview of the Land of Enchantment's primaries today.